Chapter 607 - Don“t Kill Anyone Else
Jing Rong’s mirth grew as he looked at Wen Pans.h.i.+’s expression. That pair of sharp, predatory eyes darkened. “This prince would like to tell you one more thing. You had moved the disaster relief funds away long ago.”
What?! Wen Pans.h.i.+’s face was twisted into a grotesque grimace.
“This was actually something that Young Master Wen told me.”
Wen Xian, who had been listening at the side, froze in surprise. I told him? I swear, I definitely didn’t! Don’t you try stir s.h.i.+t up. You’ll cause people to die! I really would like to know when exactly did I tell you that!
Jing Rong leisurely drawled, “I would like to ask, why would Young Master Wen buy a stone for no good reason?”
Once he heard that, Wen Xian understood. “I…” He was completely fl.u.s.tered.
Jing Rong looked at him. “Thus, I had long since secretly captured Old Zhao for questioning when he was on his way to deliver that stone to your residence. He said that that stone had fallen down from the cart of some people who had been transporting stone. He thought it was a gambling stone, so he picked it up and brought it home.
“But in truth, that cart was you people secretly transporting the silver, and that stone contained the missing disaster relief funds. Because you discovered that, you spent money to buy that stone. However, you didn’t want to attract attention so you had Old Zhao deliver it to your residence instead. That batch of silver from the disaster relief funds that was on the cart had already been found by this prince’s staff. They were hidden in a cave, but that batch of silver is now already on its way back.”
What! Wen Xian’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. Wen Pans.h.i.+ was similarly speechless.
Jing Rong directed his gaze at Wen Pans.h.i.+. “You better think clearly. Surrounding us are this prince’s best archers. The minute I give the command, you and all your men will die.”
“...”
“Right now, you have one last chance to surrender. There’s no need to cause the death and injury of countless others. n.o.body would like to see such a b.l.o.o.d.y and gory scene.”
Wen Pans.h.i.+ looked at his surroundings. Right now, the great army of ten thousand had yet to a.s.semble and he didn’t have many people that he could mobilize right now. Even if he put forth all he had, there was no way that they would win. Moreover, Jing Rong’s archers were ready and waiting on the rooftops. They would die at a single command from him. Wen Pans.h.i.+ felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Jing Rong could attack them at any time!
At the side, Lin Feng realized that Wen Pans.h.i.+ was anxious and likely to order their retreat at any moment. He stepped forward and raised his sword, still unwilling to yield. He grit his teeth, eyes full of killing intent, and spat, “None of you should even think of leaving.” He glared furiously at Jing Rong. “My father died at the hands of that despot of an emperor. Since you’re his son, you must die.”
Jing Rong glanced at him dismissively, “Are you sure you have the ability to do that?”
Lin Feng drew out a whistle. “I’ve already had people bury explosives in the secret pa.s.sage right below us. The minute I blow this whistle, none of us will leave this place alive.”
“What?” Wen Pans.h.i.+ was aghast. He shouted, “Lin Feng! You’re insane!”
“My father was killed by that despotic emperor. Every single soldier here has shed blood in order to survive. Even if we had to die together today, I can’t let him go.”
“Do you want to kill even the Little Heir?”
Lin Feng froze for a moment and grasped that whistle tightly. At last, he gentled the hostility in his eyes and turned to Ji Yunshu, “Heir, you should leave quickly.”
But how could she leave?! “I’ve already said that the matter of the Imperial Duke’s residence has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Why are you so stubborn?”
“There’s no need to investigate. It’s the fault of that despotic emperor.”
“If you still think that’s the case, then very well, you can just kill me too.”
“Heir…”
“I won’t leave.”
Lin Feng frowned and tightened his grip on the whistle. “Then let’s take it that I, Lin Feng, will owe you in this life. No matter what, I must avenge my father’s death. In my next life, I’m willing to serve Master, the Imperial Duke, as well as be reborn as a beast of burden for you, Little Heir.”
The minute he finished speaking, the shrill sound of the whistle rang out. Wen Pans.h.i.+ didn’t have the slightest chance of stopping him.
Then...
After a long while, there still was no sign of any explosion.
Lin Feng looked around tensely and blew the whistle again.
Like before, nothing happened at all.
Jing Rong spoke, “Are you very surprised?”
Very surprised indeed! Lin Feng seemed to come to a realization and stared wide-eyed at Jing Rong, waiting for an explanation.
“The explosives that you had buried were removed by this prince’s people long ago.”
“Impossible!” [1]
“It certainly does seem impossible to you because the people that this prince had sent to sneak into the secret pa.s.sage were captured by you. Since no one had entered the secret pa.s.sage after that, how could the explosives have been removed? However, you forgot that there isn’t only one entrance to the secret pa.s.sage, but two. One entrance is at your Si Residence, while the other entrance…” He looked towards Wen Pans.h.i.+, “is right within General Wen’s study.” That study that had been secured with two padlocks. [2]
Wen Pans.h.i.+ had nothing to say in reply.
Right at that moment…
“This wine is pretty good.”
Following the voice led to Mo Ruo, who was sitting on the roof with a pot of wine in hand. No one knew how long he had been there.
He took a gulp and waved the pot of wine towards Wen Pans.h.i.+. “General Wen, the wine you hid in the secret pa.s.sage is really pretty good. I hope you don’t mind that I took out a few pots. [3]I have to say that the two padlocks you have outside your study are rather useless. They opened after I just casually fiddled with them. Next time you want to lock something up, don’t use that type of lock. Come look for me instead and I’ll make some good locks for you that I guarantee n.o.body would be able to open.”
All eyes were now on him.
Mo Ruo poured another stream of wine into his mouth. His next target of complaint was Lin Feng. He said scornfully, “I say, Great General Lin, you were really unprofessional in the way you buried those explosives. How could you just place them in the most obvious spot? But you really did put in so much that it took me such a long time to destroy those d.a.m.ned things. Let me advise you not to try to join in the fun; those things are for kids to play with at the New Year.” Just a kind reminder to you!
Just like that, their plans were utterly destroyed.
Lin Feng’s expression darkened and his face turned as pale as ash, while the whistle in his hand dropped to the ground. He lost. He had lost completely!
Mo Ruo smiled and started sneering at Wen Pans.h.i.+ again, “And you, really, how could you have let that idiot Zuo Yao help you control Anchang Court? He never carries his brains with him! He is still happily thinking that he had accomplished something major, eagerly waiting for your praise, without knowing that half your archers along with all his own men had been swapped and replaced by others! Right now, he should be kneeling on the ground begging for mercy!” It’s pretty funny if you think about it! [4]
Every single plan of Wen Pans.h.i.+ was busted.
“This prince had already given you a chance. Since you didn’t want to save yourselves and came here with the intention of success or death, this prince will fulfil your wish. This prince would like to see just how grand a scene the rivers of blood will create.”
Wen Pans.h.i.+ laughed bitterly and without fear. “Even if you killed us, you won’t be able to kill everyone who was from the Imperial Duke’s palace.”
“I’ll kill you slowly then.” Jing Rong slowly raised his hand.
The archers on the roof also held their breath, waiting for the signal to begin the slaughter.
Unexpectedly, a pair of white hands suddenly grabbed his wide palm. When Jing Rong turned to look, he saw Ji Yunshu look at him pleadingly. “Don’t kill anyone else.”
[1] Imagine the "Impossibru" face here xD
[2] Yes! Another brilliantly set up clue tyvm author
[3] Tsk tsk incorrigible drunkard MR. But style points for you.
[4] Who else is enjoying this sick burn? MR is just perfectly troll.